President Kayla Mudge opened the meeting, Steve Ross led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Captain John Birks gave an invocation.
Angelia Mudge-Long introduced her husband John Long. Curt Ward from the Gilbert club introduced himself.
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For today’s raffle, the winner of the small pot was Jim Erickson. He did not draw the Ace of clubs, so the big pot carries over.
Next, John Pennypacker presented Machel Considine with her Paul Harris plus 3 pin, and Kayla Mudge presented Gaby Cutlip with her Senior Elf in Charge paper plate award.
John Bunyard collected Happy Bucks:
- Ted Williams was happy to announce that he turned 80 a few weeks ago and celebrated 3 times with various family members
- Harry Grossman was happy that his college alma mater, the University of Miami, is in the college football championships
- Steve Ross donated to the Mesa West Rotary Foundation towards the sponsorship program
- John Birks announced that he has joined the Desert Valley Winds orchestra and that they will move their practice to the Mesa Salvation Army location
- Ed Koeneman announced that Interact Club President Amyla is one of Mesa’s student citizens of the year
- John Pennypacker was happy to attend today
- Warren Williamson was happy to tell his weekly joke
- Polly Cady announced the Youth Exchange Student dinner
- Jack Rosenberg was happy to say that his wife Cindy is going to have an experimental stem cell treatment
- Gaby was happy to celebrate family birthdays and her anniversary
- Machel Considine was happy to return after a lot of traveling
- Jim Erickson was happy to donate since he won the raffle
- Angelia Mudge-Long was happy for her husband, John, and was thankful to Kayla for organizing their trip to Hawaii over the holidays
Eric Silverberg presented the club with a banner from his home town club in Massachusetts and auctioned off a bag of goodies from his cruise.
Curt Ward announced the Gilbert Club’s Trivia Night fundraiser that will occur on Valentine’s Day.
President Kayla announced that the Post-Holiday Party will be held this Saturday, January 17th, at Bobby Q in Mesa. The Glamour Gala at Aster Senior Center is on Feb 11th. District Conference registration is open
Colleen Coons provided an update on McKiney Vento – Jim Erickson and Connie Bunyard’s students will both attend RYLA and all of the students improved their attendance and/or grades.
Today’s speaker was Robert Schumacker from the Victory Foundation for the Kids. The foundation opened a K-8 public charter school in Maryvale, called the Victory School. Maryvale is an area of great need where 95% of the students receive free lunch and fall below the poverty line. Currently, there are many more Victory schools throughout Arizona. Most of the schools are for students with intellectual disabilities or autism. They have 6 different impact areas including
- Beyond orders – helps support the school in Rocky Point, Mexico
- The Angel Program – allows you to sponsor students who would otherwise only have hand-me downs
- Above and Beyond Fund – helps support students or their families in cases of crisis or serious emergencies
- Leveling the Playing Field – covers sports fees, uniforms, travel to games, and provides access to equipment
- Beyond the Tassel – a scholarship and transition fund for students to go to college or trade schools
- Seen and Heard – helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to qualified educators, technology, accommodations or other support
There website is https://victoryfoundationforthekids.com/
The foundation has upcoming fundraisers, including a golf tournament and a dinner at Duncan Family farms (Taste of the Farm VIP Dinner).
